Washington Median
$49,180
per year
Hourly Rate
$23.64
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+16% vs US median
US median $42,260
State Rank
#2 of 51
30,270 employed here
How much does a Nursing Assistant make in Washington?
Nursing Assistants in Washington take home a median of $49,180 annually — roughly $23.64 an hour — which runs 16% above the national median of $42,260.
Within Washington, entry-level pay starts around $42,500 while the top 10% make $62,660 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $46,980 and $57,930 a year.
Nursing Assistant salary range in Washington
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $42,500 | $20.43 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $46,980 | $22.59 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $49,180 | $23.64 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $57,930 | $27.85 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $62,660 | $30.13 |
|
How Washington compares
Washington ranks 2nd out of 51 states and territories for Nursing Assistant pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Nursing Assistant salary in other states
Oregon $49,830New York $48,590New Hampshire $47,870District of Columbia $47,700California $47,630Colorado $47,380Vermont $47,130Maine $47,070New Jersey $46,830Massachusetts $46,680Minnesota $46,680Rhode Island $46,440Alaska $46,370Illinois $45,960North Dakota $45,820Nevada $45,490Hawaii $45,350Wisconsin $45,130Connecticut $44,790Arizona $44,780Pennsylvania $44,590Maryland $43,240Virginia $43,200Delaware $42,030Montana $40,900Nebraska $40,000Utah $39,840Michigan $39,570New Mexico $39,390Iowa $39,350Wyoming $39,160Ohio $39,010South Dakota $38,800Idaho $38,650North Carolina $38,460Kentucky $38,370Indiana $38,330Kansas $38,010Tennessee $37,990Georgia $37,680Missouri $37,680Florida $37,510Texas $37,500South Carolina $37,220West Virginia $36,720Oklahoma $35,930Arkansas $34,430Alabama $34,140Mississippi $31,520Louisiana $30,510
Working as a Nursing Assistant in Washington
Nationally, about 1,449,000 people work as Nursing Assistants in the United States. A certificate or diploma program (usually 6 to 18 months) is the typical entry path.
Considering a move? Compare Washington pay ($49,180) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Nursing Assistant make in Washington?
The median Nursing Assistant salary in Washington is $49,180 per year, or about $23.64 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $42,500 at the entry level to $62,660 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Washington pay compare to the national average?
Washington pays Nursing Assistants about 16% more than the national median of $42,260. Washington ranks 2nd out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Washington a good state for Nursing Assistants?
Yes on pay — Washington pays above the national median for this occupation, at $49,180 a year. About 30,270 Nursing Assistants are employed in Washington. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Washington?
The highest-paying occupations in Washington include Cardiologist ($656,330), Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($553,310), Dermatologist ($526,170), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Nursing Assistant salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.